It sure is tough to win on the road in the Twin Valley League, and on Tuesday night that was no different as Troy hosted Centralia. Centralia would come away with a sweep, but both games would prove that there is never an easy night in the TVL.

GIRLS = Centralia 47, Troy 41

A back-and-forth game ensued in the girls contest with a total of 15 different lead changes with Centralia grinding out the six-point victory. To end the first frame, Harper Whetstine nailed a three-point basket to give Troy a 13-9 lead heading into the second. In that stanza, Centralia’s defense cranked it up a notch and closed the gap, outscoring Troy by three to trail 22-21 at the break.

In the second half, Troy came out of the gates scorching, extending their lead to the largest of the game 29-22 just a few minutes in. Following a timeout from Centralia, they would find their footing a bit and these teams increased their defensive intensity forcing a combined 13 turnovers in the quarter. Down the stretch of the 3rd, Centralia grabbed some momentum and capped the period with an Oen Deters half court heave at the buzzer to bring the Panthers within two, 34-32.

The fourth was filled with full court pressure applied by both squads and the battle of Deters and Whetstine continued. Centralia would use the momentum from Deters’ half court basket throughout the end of the game, outscoring the Trojans 15-7 in the frame to win 47-41.

Whetstine was phenomenal from the floor, ball handling, defensive pressure, cashing in on four three-pointers and leading the team with 23 points. Allie Franken had a nice game as well, chipping in 10 points for Troy. The Trojans drop to 6-7 overall and look to bounce back against Linn on Friday.

Deters struggled early but found her own as the game moved along with outstanding defensive effort, hitting two three-pointers and going 9-10 from the free throw line. Oen paced the Panthers with 23 points while Tava Gibbs added 10 for Centralia. The Panthers improve to 11-1 and extend their winning streak to 11 as they look to their next big test on Friday as they host Frankfort.

These two teams are in the same sub-state along with Doniphan West, Onaga, Burlingame and Northern Heights. Currently Centralia holds the top seed, D-West in a tie for the two seed, Troy with the fourth seed and Onaga with the six seed.

The Citizens State Bank & Trust Co Player to Bank on was awarded to two players on the night. Both Oen Deters and Harper Whetstine played outstanding games earning them co-players of the game.

BOYS = Centralia 50, Troy 32

Troy came out of the gates on fire as Senior Christian Etherton scored the games first five points, pacing the Trojans to hold a 12-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Into the second quarter, Troy extended their lead to the largest of the game for them at 17-6 before something clicked for Centralia. The Panthers would close the first half on a 12-4 run to trail at the half by just three, 21-18.

Centralia continued that momentum through the third as they outscored Troy 13-9 in the stanza claiming their first lead of the game of 31-30 as we went into the final quarter of play. In big moments you look for big players to step up, and Freshman Quentin Alderfer did just that for Centralia. Alderfer opened up the fourth quarter scoring seven straight points for the Panthers to give them an 8-point lead and they never looked back.  Up to this point Troy had battled foul trouble with big man Jack Hartman, only able to play a fraction of the minutes he’s used to contributing. Fortunately for Troy, Wyatt Wissler gave them big minutes off the bench and some buckets to try and slow down the Panther push. It wouldn’t be enough for the Trojans as Centralia dominated the final period, outscoring Troy 19-2 to remain perfect in league play.  

Troy was paced by Etherton who finished with 12 points on the night including two triples as the only Trojan in double figures. Wissler chipped in six while Gannon Bowe added 5. Troy looks to bounce back on Friday as they host Linn.

Centralia had a very balanced scoring output on the night, led by Freshman Quentin Alderfer who finished the game with 13 points. Big man Duke Timmel added 12 points while Reese Tanking had eight and Paxton Bowers added seven. Centralia looks to keep pace with Hanover and Clifton-Clyde in the race for the top spot in the TVL on Friday as they host Frankfort.

The Citizens State Bank & Trust Co Player to Bank on was awarded to Quentin Alderfer for his 13 points and the spark that Centralia needed heading into the fourth quarter.